At the Empire Hotel, Luo Wei arrived at the grand banquet hall by taxi. In front of the towering entrance stood a European-style fountain, illuminated by dazzling lights. The scene resembled a celebratory feast. She wore casual jeans and had hurriedly tied her hair into a ponytail before leaving.
Luo Wei glanced down at her attire. Did Gu Chuyi give her the wrong address? She felt completely out of place. Frowning, she sent Gu Chuyi her location. Moments later, she saw Gu Chuyi walk out from inside. "You're finally here! Come on in," Gu Chuyi said, scooping up Yuan Bao and cradling the pet in her arms lovingly.
"Yuan Bao, did you miss Mommy?" Yuan Bao bared its teeth in what seemed like an understanding nod.
Before Luo Wei could ask any questions, Gu Chuyi pulled her into the banquet hall.
"Chuyi, what's going on here?" Luo Wei asked.
"Don't talk; you'll find out soon enough," Gu Chuyi replied, not giving Luo Wei a chance to speak as she led her through the crowded hall and up to the second floor.
Today was Gu Xiu's birthday, and as per tradition, he was celebrating at the Empire Hotel. Gu Xiu loved lively gatherings, the more people, the better. In contrast, Mo Huai preferred smaller celebrations, usually just with a few close friends. Gu Xiu found such gatherings dull, but they suited Mo Huai's cold and aloof nature.
"Happy birthday," Mo Huai said, raising his glass. His deep, rich voice carried a magnetic quality.
Gu Xiu raised his glass in return. "Thanks, brother."
At that moment, Fu Chen sauntered over. He was Mo Huai's cousin, with short hair, a slightly open white shirt revealing his tan skin, and a high-bridged nose.
"What brings you here? Aren't you worried about the paparazzi?" Gu Xiu asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"You're the birthday boy; how could I not come?" Fu Chen replied. Fu Chen, a triple-threat star in film, television, and music, had three scenes scheduled today but had snuck out without telling his manager.
"Hey, about that thing we discussed last time," Fu Chen began, his eyes gleaming with expectation as he looked at Mo Huai. Last time, Fu Chen had asked Mo Huai to consider accepting an exclusive interview with Starlight Media. Although Fu Chen was already a top-tier star, Mo Huai's fame could still boost his own popularity even further.
"Not happening," Mo Huai replied curtly, his gaze stern.
Fu Chen clicked his tongue, having anticipated the rejection, but he hadn't expected it to be so decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
Undeterred, Fu Chen persisted, "Come on, don't be so quick to say no. Can't you think it over?"
"No," Mo Huai's two-word response was delivered with a lethal allure.
Fu Chen sighed, resigned to his fate, well aware of his cousin's unyielding nature.
Meanwhile, Luo Wei and Gu Chuyi reached the second floor, which provided a clear view of the scene below. Luo Wei observed the three unfamiliar men before her, each strikingly handsome and elegant in demeanor.
Fu Chen noticed Gu Chuyi and stood up from his booth. "You're late."
"Yeah, I went to pick up a friend," Gu Chuyi replied.
"And this is?" Fu Chen inquired.
Gu Chuyi introduced her friend confidently, "This is my bestie, Luo Wei."
Mo Huai instinctively looked up. As his eyes met Luo Wei's, he froze for a few seconds. Luo Wei? The usual cold hardness in his expression gave way to a brief flicker of emotion. So, this was Luo Wei, the poor girl Gu Chuyi often spoke of. Mo Huai quickly masked his thoughts, his deep eyes reflecting a hidden depth.
"Hello," Luo Wei greeted in a barely audible whisper, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. Her eyes flicked toward Gu Chuyi, her brow furrowed. "What's going on?" she whispered.
Gu Chuyi teased in a low voice, "I'm introducing you to my brother. He's still single, you know." With that, she pulled Luo Wei into a booth.
Luo Wei was at a loss for words, her fingers curling nervously. A slight sweat dampened her palms as she lowered her gaze.
Gu Xiu took a serious look at the girl his sister had described as pitiable. She wasn't stunningly beautiful, but her delicate features held a certain charm.
"Hello, I'm Chuyi's brother, Gu Xiu," Gu Xiu introduced himself warmly.
Luo Wei nodded in response, a faint smile on her lips. "Hello."
Luo Wei then glanced at the man sitting across from her. He had an aura as commanding as a deity's presence.
"Mo Huai," he said, his voice carrying an irresistible allure.
"Fu Chen," another man introduced himself.
As Gu Chuyi and Gu Xiu playfully bantered with Fu Chen, Luo Wei sat upright, feeling slightly embarrassed.
During their conversation, Gu Xiu received a call from their mother, reminding him and Gu Chuyi to return soon. After all, Gu Xiu was the guest of honor, and it wouldn't be appropriate for him to be absent for too long.
Handing Yuan Bao to Luo Wei, Gu Chuyi said, "Weiwei, take care of Yuan Bao for me. I'll be right back."
"Okay," Luo Wei agreed, holding Yuan Bao in her arms.
After Gu Xiu and Gu Chuyi left, Fu Chen, feeling bored, began playing a game on his own. Luo Wei felt uneasy, the cold and aloof aura of the man in front of her making her anxious as she struggled to find something to say to break the awkward silence.
At that moment, Yuan Bao grew restless, wriggling out of Luo Wei's arms and jumping onto Mo Huai's lap. Mo Huai's expression darkened as he stared at the fluffy creature on his legs. He had never liked animals. Luo Wei was stunned and reached out to retrieve Yuan Bao, accidentally brushing against Mo Huai's arm in the process.
The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine. She quickly pulled Yuan Bao back into her arms. "I'm sorry," Luo Wei apologized.
Mo Huai remained outwardly calm, but inside, a fleeting, inexplicable feeling stirred. He quickly suppressed the strange emotions.
Luo Wei occasionally overheard Fu Chen cursing at the game he was playing.
"Are you a pig? Are you playing with your feet?"
"This idiot."
"Don't throw the game!"
"Is this guy brain-dead?"
Bored, Luo Wei started humming a tune to herself. On the solid wood coffee table in front of her was a spread of fruits and pastries. She reached out, grabbed a slice of fruit, and began eating.
As she savored the fruit, Luo Wei thought to herself, "This sour pear isn’t bad at all. I used to dislike sour things, but now they actually taste pretty good. I guess people’s tastes really do change as they grow up."
Before long, she had finished all the fruit on the plate, along with five egg tarts and three slices of strawberry mousse cake. A smile played on her lips as her stomach felt pleasantly full.
When people are full, the world seems like a better place. Without Luo Wei noticing, Mo Huai had been watching her closely, his gaze flickering with interest. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he observed the way she ate, finding her demeanor utterly charming.
She had a healthy appetite, which he found refreshing compared to the pretentious, high-society girls who often crossed his path. He preferred someone genuine and unpretentious like her.
Mo Huai was so absorbed in watching her that he didn’t notice when Luo Wei looked up and met his eyes. For a brief moment, their gazes locked, and Mo Huai felt as though he’d been burned by the intensity of the contact. He quickly composed himself, clearing his throat as if nothing had happened.
Luo Wei, however, felt a pang of embarrassment. Had he been watching her the whole time? Her eating habits weren’t exactly graceful; she had practically devoured the food. She couldn’t believe she’d made a fool of herself in front of another man.
Although she had never met Mo Huai before, she had often heard Gu Chuyi describe him as a favored son of heaven, born into a powerful and influential family. Lowering her gaze, Luo Wei wished she could disappear into the ground beneath her feet.
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